A $1 million gift will extend help to McPherson College fund a new community health care initiative, including ten $25,000 scholarships for students committed to community health.

The initiative was launched last month in partnership with McPherson Hospital and it features a new enhanced health science degree at the college paired with a wide variety of hands-on education opportunities developed through the hospital and opportunities for community outreach programs.

McPherson College President Michael Schneider said that this is an ambitious project with a goal to improve health in the community and becoming a new model for rural health across the state.

The gift will enable to move ahead with academic aspects of the initiative as well as community outreach opportunities that will provide hands-on experience for student discernment and much needed service for our community. The donor wishes to remain anonymous, but the donor is a long-time supporter of McPherson College and advocate of health care initiatives support youth, older adults and those who battle mental health challenges.

Kansas is among states with the highest numbers of rural hospitals and greatest shortage of health care professionals of all types, according to the National Rural Health Association. More than 25 percent of the state’s population lives in rural areas, according to the Kansas Hospital Association.

Schneider said that they are taking a holistic approach to health care in rural communities. The initiative considers everything from mentoring youth to supporting elderly citizens. It includes solving challenges to provide good mental health support and treatment for all.